How to Host an HIV Screening Event

Step 1: Determine when and where the HIV testing event will take place. HIV testing events have been held at conferences, health fairs and malls to name a few.

Step 2: Determine how many individuals will be tested during the HIV screening. This information is needed so enough testing supplies are available for the testing event.

Step 3: Contact an organization to conduct the HIV testing. For example Bienestar San Diego joins organizations to administer free HIV tests at community events around San Diego.

Step 4: Contact HIV/AIDS and health organizations to see if they would like to come speak at the event or provide any promotional material such as literature and condoms

Step 5: Publicize the HIV screening to the community through newspapers, radio, t.v., social media, websites as well as word of mouth.

Step 6: (Optional) Get local celebrities to come out to the event. There are many celebrities that advocate for HIV/AIDS and ending the epidemic. Many celebrities are ambassadors for HIV/AIDS. Celebrities don't mind coming out to support the cause if it fits in their schedule.

Step 7: (Optional) Give out incentives. Some organizations give out prizes to individuals that come out to get tested. At a screening event on National HIV Testing Day last summer BET hosted a Rap-It-Up event where they gave out free tickets to the BET Awards Show to the first 100 people to get tested for HIV.